CSSE 3728.September.2008
The Changing Face of ProjectsChapter 1, pages 17-31
This discussion goes with Week 1 Day 1 – Quiz
OutlineThe project landscapeComplexity/Uncertainty domain
“Inquisitive project manager,” from q4pm.com/archives/150/7 .
Reminder - Be the project manager…For this class, take on that perspectiveNow do it again!Keep doing it…
Why?
Google’s 1st pictures of project manager, from www.pmthink.com/labels/certification.htm and from http://www.pmthink.com/labels/pmi-project-management-institute.htm.
Shanice
Cody
What’s an “opportunity” in business?
Above: Visual “opportunity,” from http://www.dubaichronicles.com/2006_04_01_zchizzerz_archive.html.
“Opportunity” in Wysocki means:Something your enterprise wants solved, or an
untapped business opportunityKey players in your organization agree the
organization should act on it
More on this in Ch 2 (p. 37)
Opportunity
What’s a project’s “goal”?goal (gōl) n. 1. The purpose toward which an
endeavor is directed; an objective. 2. Sports. a. The finish line of a race. b. A specified structure or zone into or over which players endeavor to advance a ball or puck. c. The score awarded for such an act.
-- The American Heritage Dictionary
Opportunity
Project “Goal” in Wysocki means:What a particular project will do in responding to
an “opportunity”Could address just a part of it.
More in Ch 2!
Opportunity Project Goal
What makes a project “goal” clear?
Above: Clearing your head to make project goals clear: Tasmanian youth air guitar before discussing dreams for their communities. From www.festivalofdreams.org/faq.php .
Opportunity Project Goal
Which quadrant?Develop automated shop scheduling software by
31.March.2006 within a cost of 3,500 hoursMove to Stark Street location by 1.June.2008 within
a cost of $75,000.Improve customer satisfaction of automated
training system by 10% by the end of Q4 FY09Develop and introduce to the marketplace a DVD-
loaded camera system by Oct. 15, 2009 within a cost of $4M
What about your projects?Activity: With a few people around you in class…Consider software projects you’ve already worked on – in
class or in jobs…
Where have their goals been uncertain?Where have their requirements and solutions been
uncertain?What quadrant would you put them in?
Complexity/Uncertainty domainRequirementsFlexibilityAdaptabilityChangeRisk
We’ll have a lot more to say about Risk on Thursday.
Complexity/Uncertainty domainTeam CohesivenessCommunicationsCustomer involvement
Comfort zoneOwnershipCustomer sign-off
A “specification” in Wysocki is:A document “composed of requirements, functions,
and features. These array themselves in a hierarchical structure…” (pp. 27-8)
Describes what has to be done for a projectDefines the solution, at least conceptually (Fig 1-4,
p. 28).A tool to help the project manager choose the best
approach (traditional, adaptive, etc.),As certainty in the “specs” diminishes, you need to
take a more flexible approach.